Refrigerant circuit

Abstract

The invention includes a refrigerant circuit for a cooling operation and a heat pump operation. The refrigerant circuit has a high pressure area and a low pressure area, including at least one heat source / heat sink, a compressor, an expansion device, at least one thermal interior space module, and an internal heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger has a high pressure side part and a low pressure side part, wherein the high pressure side part is disposed between the expansion device and the heat source / heat sink. The invention also includes at least one metering device through which the high pressure side part of the internal heat exchanger is operable during the heat pump operation at a medium pressure level intermediate a pressure level in the high pressure area and a pressure level in the low pressure area of the refrigerant circuit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. DE 10 2011 109 506.7 filed Aug. 5, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention involves a refrigerant circuit for a vehicle, and more particularly a refrigerant circuit for a vehicle configured to optimize performance of an internal heat exchanger during a cooling operation and a heat pump operation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]DE 103 09 779 A1 discloses a double-loop air conditioner in which refrigerant is heated in a heat pump or through a compression of the refrigerant, and is then released to a condenser in an interior space module (hereinafter referred to as the heat register) for heating an inflow of air into an interior space. In addition, heat can be taken from a refrigerant circuit of a motor and directed to the refrigerant through a heat transfer device, or an inflow of air into th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent aims to improve the efficiency of a refrigerant heat pump by using a two-phase refrigerant and an internal heat exchanger to superheat the refrigerant. This avoids the need for a separate condenser and reduces the amount of refrigerant needed. Additionally, the patent suggests using an external heat exchanger to transfer heat between the motor and the refrigerant circuit, enhancing the heat pump's ability to cool or heat. The patent also mentions a controllable expansion device that can switch between the two branches of the refrigerant flow, controlling the medium pressure level and refrigerant storage area. Overall, the patent aims to improve the efficiency and performance of refrigerant heat pumps.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of the refrigerant circuit is that no heat exchange with the low pressure side part of the internal heat exchanger in the heat pump operation can occur without significant technical effort since the internal heat exchanger in the heat pump is disposed in the low pressure area of the refrigerant circuit.

Further, the heat pump contains an excessive amount of the refrigerant since a filling amount is determined according to the air conditioner operation.

As a result, suctioning of the refrigerant into the compressor is unavoidable, thereby decreasing an efficiency of the compressor.

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